2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cold Front for 2000 Ram 2500

[PNicely]

In reading the various posts about cold fronts for Dodge Rams, the Mopar part number 82208646 comes up. When I called up the local Dodge dealer they checked the application and said this cold front was for 2003 and up trucks. Does anyone know if it will fit my 2000 Ram 2500? Or if not, is there another Mopar part that will do the trick? I'm about to experience my first cold winter in about 20+ years (just moved from California to the Buffalo, NY area - don't ask why!) and I'd like to be as prepared as much as possible in advance. Thanks.

 

[SHobbs]

Cabela's -- Truck Winter/Summer Grille Covers and Screen Fronts



I picked this up a few years back. You can get both a winter front and a screen or just either one. I have had the screen on mine for maybe 6 years with no problems. You can either screw it to your grill or use snaps that have 3M adhesive on them. I used the snaps and so far none have fallen off. The winter front is pretty thick and has two openings to allow some air through. Mine has held up real well and still looks new.

 

[Hammer]

Lund also has both a screen front and a winter front for the Second Gens. I use the screen front in the bottom all year long and then use the top(grill) screen fronts as needed when it gets cold. The problem one has with them is when you block off to much the truck gets warm fast and performance suffers.



Here is a shot taken by another member from the August Schied Diesel rally. If you look at the lower openings(the ones in the bumper)you can see the Lund Lowers which were painted to match the bumper and are left in all year long. The tops we painted black to look like the sport black. They come in stainless and will look good in a chrome grill... ... ..... Andy



P. S. _The only difference between the screen fronts and the winter fronts from Lund is the winters are solid with no openings.

 

[jeepit]

Cabela's -- Truck Winter/Summer Grille Covers and Screen Fronts



I picked this up a few years back. You can get both a winter front and a screen or just either one. I have had the screen on mine for maybe 6 years with no problems. You can either screw it to your grill or use snaps that have 3M adhesive on them. I used the snaps and so far none have fallen off. The winter front is pretty thick and has two openings to allow some air through. Mine has held up real well and still looks new.

I have the same one and it works great all seasons of the year; winter and road construction.

 

[Darrenf]

There's a TDR member that makes them too.



View

 

[PNicely]

Thanks for all the good info. I shouldn't have any problems getting set up for the lake-effect winter around here!

 

[JGK]

A perfectly suitable cold front, and by far the cheapest and easiest to R & R, is a piece of heavy cardboard with an 8 or 9 inch hole cut in the center where the fan hub is which is slipped between the intercooler and the radiator.



Cut it a bit more narrow than the radiator and just tall enough to slip into the space between the 2 heat exchangers but you can still grab it at the top.



It'll last all winter. Takes 10 seconds to install or remove.



I've been using them for 8 years.



-Jay

 

[Wiredawg]

I bought the aluminum foil covered bubble wrap at Lowes cut it into a rectangle and cut an X in the middle. Real cold, keep it closed... . wrming up, open it up. roll it up and put it under the seat. Weather proof and cheap.



Wiredawg

 

[Hammer]

Hey Ron...



It doesn't get cold enough in Texas where your at for a weather front... LOL... ... Andy

 

[Wiredawg]

Andy,



You're right... I haven't used it since I was in Maryland. You never know when one of those freak cold fronts will dip down here in drop us way down in the 30s.



C-ya, Ron

 

[SSolderitch]

I have one of Eric B. kits. Very nice fit and finish. I closed off the 4 sections of grill and my custom bumper had no holes, I got my truck to run at 190 degrees in the middle of winter. I changed the tstat. this summer, so I might try only 2 or 3 sections, this way should keep the fan from engaugeing all the time. Plus my bumper now has a 6 x 26 opening (more to help the intercooler do its job) which will let in some cold air.

 

[The patriot]

I have the 4 piece Lund system that goes in the grill. One or two of the clips have broken since I installed them (maybe 6-7 years ago?) but it still holds on fine.
I got my Dad one of those quilted leather type covers for his 1st gen when he had it. He LOVED it!!! Said it made a HUGE difference.
For where I am, the Lund is fine. It dont get that cold here.

Edit: The TDR grill badge dont work well with the Lund, but it's been holding on.....

 

[SSolderitch]

I put the TDR badge in place of one of the screws on the Eric B. cover... .

 

[EricBu12]

Hey Guys, Thanks for the WOM advert. and the reviews.

SSolderitch, you can also drill a new hole in one of the honeycomb areas in the upper right corner (drivers side) to hold the badge,. . thats how I do it.

 

[SSolderitch]

I actually badge my right (pass) side, because thats were the turbo is. LOL And the emblem is a small turbo... . LOL I know to much logic.

 

[Gene Arnold]

I use a piece of fiberglass wall panel that was salvaged from a job site. It is the stuff they use on the walls of public bathrooms--about 1/8" thick. I cut the recommended hole in the center and it is installed between the radiator and intercooler, just like Jay does his cardboard. It will probably outlast the truck.



Gene

 

[EricBu12]

The one problem with the panel in-between the cooler and radiator, is there is no, or hardly any air flow for the intercooler.

When you block off the front grille, there is some "insulation" in front of the cooler as you will notice the Outside thermometer is warmer than actual. .

when the air enters the lower bumper holes, the air gets warmed up as it travels up the front of the cooler... before it gets to the cooler. . the air cooling ability of the intercooler is still used and the engine warms up faster.

 

[JGK]

Oh, I don't know. I've never had a problem with my truck warming up in the winter with my cardboard. The intercooler gets the full blast of cold air through the grill. Admittedly, there is limited flow through due to the cardboard right behind it, but the colder air temperatures seem to compensate for that. Yet the radiator gets a limited amount of cold air flow through and lets it warm up quickly.



For the price and ease of install/removal, I'll stay with it.



-Jay

 

[PDM]

Lots of good ideas here, one I really liked was using the fiberglass wall panel material, which would seem to be perfect. I had also considered using something like an old plastic sign panel cut to size, but never ran across one that was large enough. For now I have made one out of cardboard until I run across some better surplus material. I have read in my '97 owners manual that at least a 10% area must remain open, and so on a 20” x 36” radiator that rounds up to a 10” diameter hole, centered at the fan clutch. Once I find some waterproof material I'll see how it works on days warm enough to rain.

 

[JGK]

Don't sweat the water issue on the cardboard too much. I use double-thickness cardboard (has two layers of flutes - the corrugated stuff) and I've had them last 2 or 3 seasons with a normal spray of rain, snow, and occasional trip the car wash through the winter months.



-Jay